Rotary engine

ABSTRACT

A rotary expansion fluid engine includes a rotor rotatably mounted within a stationary stator or housing and the rotor has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes each having a surface in close proximity to an inner surface of the stator to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the stator or housing. A plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings are mounted on the stator or housing and each has a respective valve member therein and each valve member has a cam follower and chamber blocking portion extending through a respective port or slot in the stator and the cam follower and chamber blocking portions are each resiliently maintained in engagement with a cam surface of the rotor and the valve members are movable between a position closing a respective inlet passage and a position opening same in response to rotation of the rotor for flow of an expandable fuel into a respective one of the chambers in the stator to thereby effect rotation of the rotor and an elongated shaft connected thereto. Each of the valve members permits exhaust flow from the stator to a respective exhaust passage extending from each of the valve housings.

United States Patent [191 Stevenson [451 Oct. 14, 1975 ROTARY ENGINE Robert L. Stevenson, 7320 W. 87th St., Overland Park, Kans. 66212 [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 421,478

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-C. J. Husar Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishbum, Gold & Litman [57] ABSTRACT A rotary expansion fluid engine includes a rotor rotatably mounted within a stationary stator or housing and the rotor has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes each having a surface in close proximity to an inner surface of the stator to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the stator or housing. A plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings are mounted on the stator or housing and each has a respective valve member therein and each valve member has a cam follower and chamber blocking portion extending through a respective port or slot in the stator and the cam follower and chamber blocking portions are each resiliently maintained in engagement with a cam surface of the rotor and the valve members are movable between a position closing a respective inlet passage and a position opening same in response to rotation of the rotor for flow of an expandable fuel into a respective one of the chambers in the stator to thereby effect rotation of the rotor and an elongated shaft connected thereto. Each of the valve members permits exhaust flow from the stator to a respective exhaust passage extending from each of the valve housings.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of4 3,912,429

U.S.' Patent Oct. 14, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,912,429

U.S.Patent Oct.14,1975 Sheet3of4 3,912,429

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of4 3,912,429

provements in rotary engines and more particularly to a rotary expansion fluid engine.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a rotary expansion fluid engine which is particularly characterized by the absence of moving parts which start and stop, such as pistons, connecting rods, and the like; to provide such a rotary engine wherein the moving components are adapted to be sealed during movement to prevent leakage and blow-by; to provide such a rotary engine which is balanced for smooth operation; to provide such a rotary engine which is compact and light in weight; to provide such a rotary engine adapted to deliver maximum power from an expandable fuel, such as steam freon and the like; to provide such a rotary engine having a peripheral cam surface of a rotor and chamber blocking portions of valve members each adapted to effect quick opening of respective inlet passages for flow of an expandable fuel into respective expansion chambers to turn the rotor; to provide such a'rotary engine having a gas distribution valve adapted for distributing gas flow into the expansion chambers in timed relation with rotation of the rotor; and to provide such a rotary engine which is durable in construction, economical to manufacture, positive in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate various objects and advantages of the rotary engine.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rotary engine embodying features of the present invention and with portions broken away to better illustrate the component parts.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the rotary engine and with portions broken away to better illustrate the component parts.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary engine and'taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG; 4 is a transverse sectional view of the rotary engine and showing a rotor in position to start a power cycle. 1

, FIG. 5 is a transverse-sectional view of the rotary engine and showing the rotor after start of the power cycle.

FIG. 6 is a'transverse sectional view of the rotary engine and showing the rotor'at approximately the mid point of the power cycle.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the rotary engine and showing the rotor at the end of the power cycle.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a throttle valve for use with the rotary engine.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the throttle valve taken on line 9-9, FIG. 8.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to vari-- ously employ the present invention in any appropriately detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a rotary engine which includes a rotor 2 rotatably mounted' within a stationary stator or housing 3. The rotor 2 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes 4 each having a surface in close proximity to an inner surface 5 of the stator 3 to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the stator 3. A plurality of valve housings 6 are mounted on the stator 3 and each has a respective valve member 7 therein and each valve member 7 has a cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 extending through a respective port or slot 9 in the stator 3 and each cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 is resiliently maintained in engagement with a cam surface of the rotor 2. The valve members 7 are each movable in response to rotation of the rotor 2 and between a position closing a respective inlet passage 10 and a position opening same for flow of an expandable fuel into a respective one of the chambers in the stator 3 to thereby effect rotation of the rotor 2 and an elongated shaft 11 connected thereto. Each of the valve members7 permits exhaust flow from the stator 3 to a respective exhaust passage 12 extending from a respective one of the valve housings 6.

The stator or housing 3 may be any suitable structure providing a stationary support for the rotor 2 during rotation thereof. In the illustrated structure, the stator or housing 3 has a casing 13 and facing generally planar opposed end walls 14 and 15. The illustrated end walls 14 and 15 are generally circular with a plurality of circumferentially spaced extensions 16 extending beyond the casing 13, for a purpose later described.

The casing 13 and the end wall 14 and 15 have respective inner surfaces positioned to enclose an inner cylinder having the rotor 2 therein. The elongated shaft 11 extends through at least one of the end walls of the stator or housing 3, however, in the illustrated embodiment, the end walls 14 and 15 have respective apertures aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 11 for rotatably receiving same.

The illustrated casing 13 is generally cylindrical and the inner surface thereof cooperates with the facing surfaces of the end walls 14 and 15 to thereby define the inner cylinder. The casing 13 is formed of a plurality of wall segments each having opposite end flanges 18 and 19 adapted to be secured to the end walls 14 and 15, as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 20 extending through the end walls 14 and 15 and the end flanges l8 and 19 respectively and having nuts 21 on the bolts 20 to hold the flanges in clamped engagement with the respective end walls.

The wall segments of the casing 13 each have opposite side edges 22 and 23 positioned in spaced relation with the side edge of an adjacent casing wall segment to define the ports or slots 9 therebetween. The casing wall segments each have a flow passage extending from one end thereof to the center portion thereof and having an exit adjacent one of the side edges and within a respective one of the valve housings 6, for'a purpose later described.

.The' valveihousings- 6 are circumferentially spaced and mounted on the casing .13 and each defines a valve chamber communicating with a respectiveone ofthe ports or slots ,9 in the'casing 13. The illustrated valve housings 6 each include an arcuate outer or side wall 24 having opposite side edges in sealing engagement with the ;casing and opposite end flanges 25 and 26 adaptedto be sealingly secured to respective extensions 16 of the end walls 14 and 15 respectively. The outer or side walls 24 each have a threaded aperture 27 preferably positionedin the center portion thereof for receiving exhaust flow, as later described.

Therotor 2 is rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder definedby the casing 13 and the end walls 14 and 15. The rotor 2 has a peripheral cam surface having a plurality of the circumferentially spaced lobes 4 and the lobes 4 each comprise a high of the rotor 2 and provide a minor portion of the peripheral a radius such that the lobe is freely rotatable in very close proximity tothe inner surface of the casing 13 to thereby define a plurality ,of chambers within the inner cylinder. The roto r2 has opposite end surfaces 28 and 29 positioned in close proximity to the inner or facing surface of the end walls 14 and respectively. The rotor 2 may have any number of lobes 4, however, the number of lobes 4 is equal to the number of ports 9 in the casing 13.

The peripheral cam surface of the rotor 2 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced depressed portions 30 each positioned adjacent a respective one of the lobes 4. The depressed portions 30 are each positioned on a trailing side of the respective lobe 4 and the depressed portions 30 are each inclined in a manner to permit the cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 of the respective valve member 7 in engagement therewith to quickly open the respective inlet passage 10 upon movement'of the respective lobes 4 beyond the cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 of the respective valve members 7. The illustrated depressed portions 30 each slope inwardly at an increased rate from the respective high or lobe 4.

The elongated shaft 11 is positioned on the longitudinal axis of the stator or housing 3 and of the rotor 2. The shaft 11 may be connected to the rotor 2 in any suitable manner, such as by being keyed thereto, whereby rotation of either the rotor 2 or the shaft 11 effects timed rotation of the other of the rotor 2 and shaft 11, such as for starting the rotary engine 1 or for operation thereof.

The valve members 7 are each positioned in a respective one of the valve housings 6 and the valve members 7 are each movably mounted in the respective valve housing 6 and the'cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 thereof is maintained in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of the rotor 2. The valve members 7 are each movable between a position closing the respective inlet-passage l0 and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder. The valve members 7 are each adapted to permit exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to the exhaust passage l2 mountedin the aperture 27 in the outer wall 24 and extending from the respective valve housing 6. The

valve members 7 are generally planar members and each have opposite end surfaces 31 and 32 positioned The valve members 7 are illustrated as each having one end 33 thereof pivotally mounted in the respective valve housing 6, as by a pin 34 extending between the facing extension 16. The cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 is positioned at the other end of the valve members 7 and extends through the respective port or slot 9 in the casing 13 and into sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of the rotor 2.

Each of the valve members 7 has a flow passage 35 therethrough for exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to the respective exhaust passage 12.

Suitable resilient means, such as a spring 36, is positioned in each of the valve housings 6 and is operatively connected to or in engagement with the respective valve member 7 for resiliently maintaining or biasing the cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 thereof in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of the rotor 2.

The inner cylinder and the valve housings 6 are preferably maintained in a fluid or gas tight relation, as by suitable seal means, to prevent flow between the inlet passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12 except through the inner cylinder and then only after substantially complete expansion of the expandable fuel has occurred.

Seal means are mounted on facing inner surfaces of the end walls 14 and 15 of the stator or housing 3 and each are engageable with a respective one of the end surfaces 28 and 29 of the rotor 2 to thereby seal the chambers within the inner cylinder against flow around the ends of the rotor 2. In the illustrated structure, a recess 37 is formed in the facing surfaces of the end walls 14 and 15 and the recess 37 is positioned to define a circle concentric with and extending around the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 11. A suitable seal member 38 is mounted in the recess 37 in each of the end walls 14 and 15 and the seal members 38 are in sealing engagement with the end surfaces 28 and 29 respectively of the rotor 2.

Second seal means are mounted on the facing inner surfaces of the extensions 16 of the valve housings 6 and are engageable with a respective one of the end surfaces 31 and 32 of the valve member 7 in the respective valve housing 6. The second seal means is positioned between the inlet passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12 and abuts the seal means engaging the rotor 2 to thereby seal the valve chamber and the inner cylinder. In the illustrated structure. the end walls 14 and 15 and each of the extensions 16 thereof have a plurality of recesses 39 each positioned in an arcuate path extending between the outer or side wall 24 of the respective valve housing 6 and the recess 37 forming a ring around the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 11. Each of the recesses 39 have a respective seal member 40 mounted therein and having one end thereof abutting the outer or side wall 24 and the other end thereof abutting the seal member 38 to thereby seal the ends of. the rotor 2 and the ends of each of the valve members 7.

The end of each valve member 7 is in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of the rotor 2 and in the illustrated surface the end of the cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 of each of the valve members has a recess or groove 8' therein adapted to receive and retain a suitable seal member 7' therein whereby each portion of the chambers formed between the lobes 4 are sealed from the adjacent portion thereof.

The rotary engine 1 includes suitable means communicating with each of the inlet passage for supplying and directing an expandable fuel, such: as freon or steam, thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, a suitable source (not shown) of gas under pressure, such as a steam, freon, or the like, is operatively connected to suitable flow means extending between the source of gas under pressure and a gas distribution valve assembly 41 which includes a suitable distribution valve housing 42 preferably mounted on the stator or housing 3 and surrounding a portion of the elongated shaft 11. The distribution valve housing 42 may be any suitable structure for enclosing therein a gas receiving and distributing member 43 which is operatively connected to the elongated shaft 11 for timed rotation with the rotor In the illustrated structure, the distribution valve housing 42 includes a side wall 44 having an end flange 45 adapted to be suitably sealingly secured to one of the end walls of the engine housing 3, for example, the end Qwall 14, as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws 46. The distribution valve housing 42 includes an end wall 47 connected to or integral with the side wall 44 and spaced from the end wall 14 of the stator or housing 3 to thereby define a closed space. The end wall 47 may have a suitable recess therein or an apertur'e therethrough positioned to permit the elongated shaft 11 to be received therein or to extend therethrough for rotatably supporting same on the end wall 47.

The walls defining the distribution valve housing 42 have a gas receiving compartment 48 therein and in the illustrated structure, the side wall 44 has a recess defining the gas receiving compartment 48 in the inner or interior surface thereof and the side wall 44has a suitable aperture or bore 49 therethrough communicating with the gas receiving compartment 48 and adapted to receive a suitable flow member 50 extending from the source of gas under pressure (not shown) for flow through the bore 49 into the gas receiving compartment 48.

- The illustrated gas receiving and distributing member 43 surrounds the elongated shaft 11 and is operatively connected to the elongated shaft 11, as by being keyed thereto, for timed rotation with the shaft 11 and with the rotor 2. The gas receiving and distributing member 43 has an exterior surface in close proximity with the inner or interior surface of the side wall 44 and the gas receiving compartment 48 therein. The gas receiving and distributing member 43 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 51 in the exterior surface thereof and a flow passage 52 extends between and connect's'the ports 51 whereby gas entering one of the ports 51 from the compartment 48 is communicated to all of the other of the'ports 51.

A plurality of flow passages each extend between the distribution valve housing 42 and a respective one of the valve housings 6 for communicating each of the ports 51 in the gas receiving and distributing member 43 with a respective one of the inlet passages 10. In the illustrated structure, the side wall 44 of the distribution valve housing 42 has a plurality of enlarged portions 53 each having a bore therein and a sleeve or tubular member 54 is resiliently maintained in sliding engagement with the exterior surface of the gas receiving and distributing member 43.

Each of the tubular members 54 is positioned to have the ports 51 successively alignable therewith for flow of the gas from the gas receiving and distributing member 43 into the tubular member 54. A suitable resilient member, such as a spring 55, urges the tubular member 54 into firm engagement with the exterior surface of the gas receiving and distributing member 43 for thereby receiving outlet flow only through the respective ports in the exterior of the gas receiving and 'distributing member 43 whereby the gas is under the desired pressure. In the illustrated structure, the gas flows into the end of the flow passage in the casing wall segments and to the respective valve housing 6.

To vary the speed of rotation of the rotor 2 and thereby vary the speed of rotation of the elongated shaft 11, the volume of the gas flow to the gas distribution valve assembly 41 is controlled by a throttle valve 56 which is mounted in the flow means extending between the source of gas under pressure and the gas distribution valve assembly 41.

The throttle valve 56 includes a throttle valve housing 57 mounted in the flow means between the source of gas under pressure (not shown) and the gas distribution valve assembly 41. The throttle valve housing 57 has an inner surface 58 defining a generally cylindrical cavity or chamber which provides a flow passage communicating with the flow passage in the flow means between the source of gas under pressure and the gas distribution valve assembly 41.

A throttle valve member 59 is positioned within the chamber in the throttle valve housing 57 and has an exterior surface 60 in close proximity with the inner surface 58 of the throttle valve housing 57. The throttle valve member 59 has a port 61 in the exterior surface thereof and has means defining at least one flow passage communicating with the port 61 in the exterior surface 60. In the illustrated structure, the throttle valve member 59 has a pair of spaced opposed end walls 62 and 63 and a side wall 64 extending therebetween and having the port 61 extending through the side wall 64.

Adjustment of the position of the port 61 relative to the flow passage through the flow means extending between the source of gas under pressure and the gas distribution valve assembly 41 is accomplished by turning the throttle valve member 59, as by rotation of a shaft 65 having the end walls 62 and 63 operatively connected thereto and a suitable linkage or the like is operatively connected to the shaft 65 and in the illustrated structure, a handle 66 is suitably connected to the shaft 65, as by screws'or the like, whereby movement of the handle 66 selectively positions the port 61 relative to the flow passage in the flow means to the gas distribution valve assembly 41.

A tubular member 67 is mounted in the flow passage between the throttle valve 56 and the gas distribution valve assembly 41 and the tubular member 67 is resiliently maintained in sliding engagementwith the exterior surface 60 of the throttle valve member 59, as by a suitable resilient member, such as a spring 68, and the tubular member 67 is positioned to have the port 61 aligned therewith for receiving outlet flow through the port 61 in the exterior surface 60 of the throttle valve member 59.

In operation of a rotary engine constructed as illustrated and described, the handle 66 is adjusted to control the volume of gas under pressure flowing to the gas distribution valve assembly 49. The elongated shaft 11 may be turned by a suitable starter motor (not shown) to move the lobes 4 of the rotor 2 and permit the chamber blocking and cam follower portions 8 of the valve members 7 to move to a position permitting gas flow through each of the inlet passages and into the inner cylinder within the stator or housing 3 and the gas expands and acts against the cam surface of the rotor 2 thereby effecting rotation of the rotor 2 and the elongated shaft 11 connected thereto. The valve members 7 divide the space between adjacent lobes 4 into a power chamber and an exhaust chamber such that the expanding gas on one side of the cam follower and chamber blocking portion 8 of the valve members 7 effects rotation of the rotor 2 and the gas on the other side of the cam follower and chamber blocking portion 3 is exhausted through the respective flow passage 35 and out through the exhaust passage 12. The speed of rotation of the rotor 2 and thereby the power delivered by the elongated shaft 11 can be adjusted by movement of the handle 66 to adjust the position of the throttle valve member 59 within the throttle valve housing 57 to either selectively increase or retard the rotation of the elongated shaft 11.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A rotary engine comprising:

a. a stator having a casing and opposite end walls,

said casing and said end walls each having a respective inner surface positioned to define an inner cylinder, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therein;

b. a rotor rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder and having a peripheral cam surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, the number of lobes being equal to the number of ports in said casing, said lobes each comprising a high of said rotor and providing a minor portion of the peripheral cam surface, said lobes each having a radius such that the high is freely rotatable in very close proximity to the inner surface of said casing to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the inner cylinder;

0. an elongated shaft operatively connect to said rotor and extending through at least one of said end walls of said stator;

d. a plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings mounted on said casing and each defining a valve chamber communicating with a respective one of said ports in said casing;

means communicating with each of said valve housings defining a respective inlet passage and an exhaust passage communicating therewith;

f. a plurality of valve members each positioned in a respective one of said valve housings, the number of valve members and number of valve housings being equal to the number of lobes on the rotor, said valve members each being movably mounted in the respective valve housing and having a chamber blocking portion in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor, said valve members each being movable between a position closing said respective inlet passage and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder, said valve members each with all of the valve members having the same position relative to the respective inlet passage having a flow passage therethrough for exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage; and

g. means communicating with each of said inlet passages for simultaneously supplying an expandable fuel to same.

2. A rotary engine as set forth in claim I wherein:

a. each of said valve members is pivotally mounted in said respective valve housing;

b. each of said valve members has the chamber blocking portion thereof movable through the respective port in said casing;

0. means are positioned in each of said valve housings and in engagement with said respective valve member therein for biasing the chamber blocking portion thereof into engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor.

3. A rotary engine comprising:

a. a stator having a casing and opposite end walls,

said casing and said end walls each having a respective inner surface positioned to define an inner cylinder, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therein;

b. a rotor rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder and having a peripheral cam surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, the number of lobes being equal to the number of ports in said casing, said lobes each comprising a high of said rotor and providing a minor portion of the peripheral cam surface, said lobes each having a radius such that the high is freely rotatable in very close proximity to the inner surface of said casing to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the inner cylinder;

0. an elongated shaft operatively connected to said rotor and extending through at least one of said end walls of said stator;

d. a plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings mounted on said casing and each defining a valve chamber communicating with a respective one of said ports in said casing;

e. means communicating with each of said valve housings defining a respective inlet passage and an exhaust passage communicating therewith;

f. a plurality of valve members each positioned in a respective one of said valve housings, said valve members each being movably mounted in the respective valve housing and having a chamber blocking portion in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor, said valve members each being movable between a position closing said respective inlet passage and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder, said valve members each being adapted to permit exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage;

g. means communicating with each of said inlet passages for supplying an expandable fuel to same, said means for supplying an expandable fuel to each of said inlet passages comprising:

1. a source of gas under pressure;

2. a gas distribution valve assembly having a gas receiving and distributing member therein, said gas receiving and distributing member being operatively connected to said elongated shaft for rotation in timed relation thereto, said gas receiving and distributing member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports and a flow passage therebetween;

3. flow means extending between said source of gas under pressure and'said gas distribution valve assembly, said flow means having a flow passage for flow of gas under pressure to said gas; receivin'g'and distributing member; and Y 4. means extending between and communicating each of said ports in'said gas receiving and distributing member with a respective one of said inlet passages for flow of gas to said valve housings. a

4. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said gas distribution valve assembly includes a distribution'valve housing mounted on said stator and having an inner surface; v I

b. said distribution valve housing has wall means defining a gas receiving compartment communicating with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing;

c. said gas receiving and distributingmember has an exterior surface positioned in close proximity with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing;

and

(1. said circumferentially spaced ports of said gas receiving and distributing member are positioned in the exterior surface thereof and said ports are successively alignable with said gas, receiving compartment in the inner surface of said distribution valve housing. I V

5. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 4 including throttle valve means mounted in said flow means and positioned between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly for controlling volume of gas flow to said gas distribution valve assembly. I

6. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said throttle valve means comprises:

a. a throttle valve housing mounted in said flow means and positioned between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly, said throttle valve housing having an inner surface and a flow passage therethrough and communicating with the flow passage in said flow means;

b. a throttle valve member having an exterior surface in close proximity with the inner surface of said throttle valve housing, said throttle valve member having a port in the exterior surface thereof and means defining at least one flow passage communicating with the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for flow of gas to said port;

c. means operatively connected to said throttle valve member for selectively positioning the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member relative to the flow passage in said flow means; and

d. means positioned in said flow means and in sliding engagement with the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for receiving outlet flow through the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve 'member and communicating the flow to said flow means. w

7. A rotary engine comprising: a. a stator having a casing andopposite end walls,

saidcasing and said end walls each having :1 respective inner surface positioned to define an inner cylinder, said casing havinga plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therein;

b. a rotor rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder and having a peripheral cam surface with aplurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, the number 7 of lobes being equal to the number of ports in said casing, said lobes each comprising a high of said a rotor and providing a minor portion of the peripheral cam surface, said lobes each having a radius .such that the high is freely rotatable invery close proximity to the inner surface of saidcasing to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the inner cylinder, said rotor having opposite end surfaces each in close proximity to the inner surface of a respective one of the end walls of said stator; an elongated shaft operatively connected to said rotor and extending through at least one of said end walls of said stator;

d. seal means mounted on facing inner surfaces of the f. means communicating with each of said valve housings defining a respective inlet passage and an exhaust passage communicating therewith;

g. a plurality of valve members each positioned in a respective one of said valve housings said valve members each being movably mounted in the respective valve housing and having a chamber portion in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor, said valve members each being movable between a position closing said respective inlet passage and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder, said valve members each being adapted to permit exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage, said valve members each having opposite end surfaces each in close proximity to the inner surface of a respective one of said end walls of said respective valve housing;

h. second seal means mounted on facing inner surmeans communicating with each of said inlet passages for supplying an expandable fuel to same;

j. the peripheral cam surface of said rotor has a plurality of depressed portions each positioned adjacent a respective one of said lobes;

k. the depressed portions each sloping inwardly at an increased rate such that said valve members each quickly open the respective inlet passage upon movement of the respective lobes beyond said chamber blocking portion of said respective valve members;

l. each of said valve members is pivotally mounted in said respective valve housing;

In. each of said valve members has the chamber blocking portion thereof movable through the respective port in said casing;

n. means positioned in each of said valve housings and in engagement with said respective valve member therein for resiliently maintaining the chamber blocking portion thereof in engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor; and

0. said valve members each have a flow passage therethrough for exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage.

8. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

a. said means for supplying an expandable fuel to each of said inlet passages comprises:

1. a source of gas under pressure;

2. a gas distribution valve assembly having a gas receiving and distributing member therein, said gas receiving and distributing member being operatively connected to said elongated shaft for rotation in timed relation thereto, said gas receiving and distributing member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports and a flow passage therebetween; and

3. flow means extending between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly, said flow means having a flow passage for flow of gas under pressure to said gas receiving and distributing member; and

4. means extending between and communicating each of said ports in said gas receiving and distributing member with a respective one of said inlet passages for flow of gas to said valve housmgs;

b. throttle valve means is mounted in said flow means between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly for controlling volumn of gas flow to said gas distribution valve assembly.

9. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

a. said gas distribution valve assembly includes a distribution valve housing mounted on said stator and having an inner surface;

b. said distribution valve housing has wall means defining a gas receiving compartment communicating with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing;

c. said gas receiving and distributing member has an exterior surface positioned in close proximity with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing;

d. said circumferentially spaced ports of said gas receiving and distributing member are positioned in the exterior surface thereof and said ports are successively alignable with said gas receiving compartment in the inner surface of said distribution valve housing; and

e. said throttle valve means comprises:

i. a throttle valve housing mounted in said flow means and positioned between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly, said throttle valve housing having an inner surface and a flow passage therethrough and communicating with the flow passage in said flow means;

2. a throttle valve member having an exterior surface in close proximity with the inner surface of said throttle valve housing, said throttle valve member having a port in the exterior surface thereof and means defining at least one flow passage communicating with the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for flow of gas to said port; and

3. means operatively connected to said throttle valve member for selectively positioning the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member relative to the flow passage in said flow means; and

1. means positioned in said flow means and in sliding engagement with the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for receiving outlet flow through the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member and communicating the flow to said flow means. 

1. A rotary engine comprising: a. a stator having a casing and opposite end walls, said casing and said end walls each having a respective inner surface positioned to define an inner cylinder, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therein; b. a rotor rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder and having A peripheral cam surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, the number of lobes being equal to the number of ports in said casing, said lobes each comprising a high of said rotor and providing a minor portion of the peripheral cam surface, said lobes each having a radius such that the high is freely rotatable in very close proximity to the inner surface of said casing to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the inner cylinder; c. an elongated shaft operatively connect to said rotor and extending through at least one of said end walls of said stator; d. a plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings mounted on said casing and each defining a valve chamber communicating with a respective one of said ports in said casing; means communicating with each of said valve housings defining a respective inlet passage and an exhaust passage communicating therewith; f. a plurality of valve members each positioned in a respective one of said valve housings, the number of valve members and number of valve housings being equal to the number of lobes on the rotor, said valve members each being movably mounted in the respective valve housing and having a chamber blocking portion in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor, said valve members each being movable between a position closing said respective inlet passage and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder, said valve members each with all of the valve members having the same position relative to the respective inlet passage having a flow passage therethrough for exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage; and g. means communicating with each of said inlet passages for simultaneously supplying an expandable fuel to same.
 2. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. each of said valve members is pivotally mounted in said respective valve housing; b. each of said valve members has the chamber blocking portion thereof movable through the respective port in said casing; c. means are positioned in each of said valve housings and in engagement with said respective valve member therein for biasing the chamber blocking portion thereof into engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor.
 2. a throttle valve member having an exterior surface in close proximity with the inner surface of said throttle valve housing, said throttle valve member having a port in the exterior surface thereof and means defining at least one flow passage communicating with the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for flow of gas to said port; and
 2. a gas distribution valve assembly having a gas receiving and distributing member therein, said gas receiving and distributing member being operatively connected to said elongated shaft for rotation in timed relation thereto, said gas receiving and dIstributing member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports and a flow passage therebetween; and
 2. a gas distribution valve assembly having a gas receiving and distributing member therein, said gas receiving and distributing member being operatively connected to said elongated shaft for rotation in timed relation thereto, said gas receiving and distributing member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports and a flow passage therebetween;
 3. A rotary engine comprising: a. a stator having a casing and opposite end walls, said casing and said end walls each having a respective inner surface positioned to define an inner cylinder, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therein; b. a rotor rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder and having a peripheral cam surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, the number of lobes being equal to the number of ports in said casing, said lobes each comprising a high of said rotor and providing a minor portion of the peripheral cam surface, said lobes each having a radius such that the high is freely rotatable in very close proximity to the inner surface of said casing to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the inner cylinder; c. an elongated shaft operatively connected to said rotor and extending through at least one of said end walls of said stator; d. a plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings mounted on said casing and each defining a valve chamber communicating with a respective one of said ports in said casing; e. means communicating with each of said valve housings defining a respective inlet passage and an exhaust passage communicating therewith; f. a plurality of valve members each positioned in a respective one of said valve housings, said valve members each being movably mounted in the respective valve housing and having a chamber blocking portion in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor, said valve members each being movable between a position closing said respective inlet passage and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder, said valVe members each being adapted to permit exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage; g. means communicating with each of said inlet passages for supplying an expandable fuel to same, said means for supplying an expandable fuel to each of said inlet passages comprising:
 3. flow means extending between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly, said flow means having a flow passage for flow of gas under pressure to said gas receiving and distributing member; and
 3. flow means extending between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly, said flow means having a flow passage for flow of gas under pressure to said gas receiving and distributing member; and
 3. means operatively connected to said throttle valve member for selectively positioning the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member relative to the flow passage in said flow means; and
 4. means extending between and communicating each of said ports in said gas receiving and distributing member with a respective one of said inlet passages for flow of gas to said valve housings; b. throttle valve means is mounted in said flow means between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly for controlling volumn of gas flow to said gas distribution valve assembly.
 4. means positioned in said flow means and in sliding engagement with the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for receiving outlet flow through the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member and communicating the flow to said flow means.
 4. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said gas distribution valve assembly includes a distribution valve housing mounted on said stator and having an inner surface; b. said distribution valve housing has wall means defining a gas receiving compartment communicating with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing; c. said gas receiving and distributing member has an exterior surface positioned in close proximity with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing; and d. said circumferentially spaced ports of said gas receiving and distributing member are positioned in the exterior surface thereof and said ports are successively alignable with said gas receiving compartment in the inner surface of said distribution valve housing.
 4. means extending between and communicating each of said ports in said gas receiving and distributing member with a respective one of said inlet passages for flow of gas to said valve housings.
 5. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 4 including throttle valve means mounted in said flow means and positioned between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly for controlling volume of gas flow to said gas distribution valve assembly.
 6. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said throttle valve means comprises: a. a throttle valve housing mounted in said flow means and positioned between said source of gas under pressure and said gas distribution valve assembly, said throttle valve housing having an inner surface and a flow passage therethrough and communicating with the flow passage in said flow means; b. a throttle valve member having an exterior surface in close proximity with the inner surface of said throttle valve housing, said throttle valve member having a port in the exterior surface thereof and means defining at least one flow passage communicating with the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for flow of gas to said port; c. means operatively connected to said throttle valve member for selectively positioning the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member relative to the flow passage in said flow means; and d. means positioned in said flow means and in sliding engagement with the exterior surface of said throttle valve member for receiving outlet flow through the port in the exterior surface of said throttle valve member and communicating the flow to said flow means.
 7. A rotary engine comprising: a. a stator having a casing and opposite end walls, said casing and said end walls each having a respective inner surface positioned to define an inner cylinder, said casing having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therein; b. a rotor rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder and having a peripheral cam surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, the number of lobes being equal to the number of ports in said casing, said lobes each comprising a high of said rotor and providing A minor portion of the peripheral cam surface, said lobes each having a radius such that the high is freely rotatable in very close proximity to the inner surface of said casing to thereby define a plurality of chambers within the inner cylinder, said rotor having opposite end surfaces each in close proximity to the inner surface of a respective one of the end walls of said stator; c. an elongated shaft operatively connected to said rotor and extending through at least one of said end walls of said stator; d. seal means mounted on facing inner surfaces of the opposite end walls of said stator and each sealingly engageable with a respective one of said end surfaces of said rotor to seal the chambers within the inner cylinder; e. a plurality of circumferentially spaced valve housings mounted on said casing and each defining a valve chamber communicating with a respective one of said ports in said casing, said valve housings each having an outer wall and opposite end walls, each of said end walls of said valve housings having an inner surface positioned coplaner with the inner surface of a respective one of the end walls of said stator; f. means communicating with each of said valve housings defining a respective inlet passage and an exhaust passage communicating therewith; g. a plurality of valve members each positioned in a respective one of said valve housings, said valve members each being movably mounted in the respective valve housing and having a chamber portion in sealing engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor, said valve members each being movable between a position closing said respective inlet passage and a position opening same for communication with the inner cylinder, said valve members each being adapted to permit exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage, said valve members each having opposite end surfaces each in close proximity to the inner surface of a respective one of said end walls of said respective valve housing; h. second seal means mounted on facing inner surfaces of the opposite end walls of each of said valve housings, said second seal means each being engageable with a respective one of said end surfaces of said respective valve member, said second seal means each being positioned between said inlet passage and said exhaust passage and abutting said respective first named seal means to seal the valve chamber and the inner cylinder; i. means communicating with each of said inlet passages for supplying an expandable fuel to same; j. the peripheral cam surface of said rotor has a plurality of depressed portions each positioned adjacent a respective one of said lobes; k. the depressed portions each sloping inwardly at an increased rate such that said valve members each quickly open the respective inlet passage upon movement of the respective lobes beyond said chamber blocking portion of said respective valve members; l. each of said valve members is pivotally mounted in said respective valve housing; m. each of said valve members has the chamber blocking portion thereof movable through the respective port in said casing; n. means positioned in each of said valve housings and in engagement with said respective valve member therein for resiliently maintaining the chamber blocking portion thereof in engagement with the peripheral cam surface of said rotor; and o. said valve members each have a flow passage therethrough for exhaust flow from the inner cylinder to said respective exhaust passage.
 8. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said means for supplying an expandable fuel to each of said inlet passages comprises:
 9. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 8 wherein: a. said gas distribution valve assembly includes a distribution valve housing mounted on said stator and having an inner surface; b. said distribution valve housing has wall means defining a gas receiving compartment communicating with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing; c. said gas receiving and distributing member has an exterior surface positioned in close proximity with the inner surface of said distribution valve housing; d. said circumferentially spaced ports of said gas receiving and distributing member are positioned in the exterior surface thereof and said ports are successively alignable with said gas receiving compartment in the inner surface of said distribution valve housing; and e. said throttle valve means comprises: 